Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, allergy to heparins, heart failure, thrombi, and the Kounis syndrome

COVID-19 Disease, Women's Predominant Non-Heparin Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia and Kounis Syndrome: A Passepartout Cytokine Storm Interplay

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) constitute one of the deadliest pandemics in modern history demonstrating cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hematologic, mucocutaneous, respiratory, neurological, renal and testicular manifestations and further complications. COVID-19-induced excessive immune response accompanied with uncontrolled release of cytokines culminating in cytokine storm seem to be the common pathogenetic mechanism of these complications. The aim of this narrative review is to elucidate the relation between anaphylaxis associated with profound hypotension or hypoxemia with pro-inflammatory cytokine release. COVID-19 relation with Kounis syndrome and post-COVID-19 vaccination correlation with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT), especially serious cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, were also reviewed. Methods: A current literature search in PubMed, Embase and Google databases was performed to reveal the pathophysiology, prevalence, clinical manifestation, correlation and treatment of COVID-19, anaphylaxis with profuse hypotension, Kounis acute coronary syndrome and thrombotic events post vaccination. Results: The same key immunological pathophysiology mechanisms and cells seem to underlie COVID-19 cardiovascular complications and the anaphylaxis-associated Kounis syndrome. The myocardial injury in patients with COVID-19 has been attributed to coronary spasm, plaque rupture and microthrombi formation, hypoxic injury or cytokine storm disposing the same pathophysiology with the three clinical variants of Kounis syndrome. COVID-19-interrelated vaccine excipients as polysorbate, polyethelene glycol (PEG) and trometamol constitute potential allergenic substances. Conclusion: Better acknowledgement of the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical similarities, multiorgan complications of COVID-19 or other viral infections as dengue and human immunodeficiency viruses along with the action of inflammatory cells inducing the Kounis syndrome could identify better immunological approaches for prevention, treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as post-COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions.

Extensive Intracardiac and Deep Venous Thromboses in a Young Woman with Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and May-Thurner Syndrome

A 38-year-old woman with a history of recurrent deep venous thromboses (DVTs) on chronic anticoagulation presented with acute left leg swelling. The patient was diagnosed with an acute left lower extremity (LLE) DVT in the setting of May-Thurner syndrome for which treatment with unfractionated heparin was started. Her hospital course was complicated by a new diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), with an incidental discovery of a large tricuspid valve mobile mass on a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). Subsequent imaging confirmed multiple right atrial thrombi along with LLE venous stent thrombosis and a new right LE acute DVT. Anticoagulation with argatroban for HIT thrombosis was started. She underwent a right atrial percutaneous thrombectomy and bilateral lower extremity thrombectomy with directed angioplasty and stent placement. This presentation is a rare manifestation of HIT with extensive intracardiac and deep venous thrombi, with successful staged interventions.